Monday, July 27, 2009

Got the Call last week

No silly! Not one from an agent or editor. Are you crazy? I haven't even sent anything out yet.

No, this was an inner call that sent my writing in a new direction, no, actually, in an old direction. I still have about 15,000 words to go to finish my first draft of the story that's a Genesis finalist, so I'm in a bit of a quandary getting this call or tug or whatever you want to label it at this time. But what do you do?

An old story beckoned me to make another pass of revisions, and man, I'm finding myself falling in love with it all over again. Don't you just love it when your inners flutter and dance in anticipation of the scenes to come? And the neurons in your head churn and spin ways to make the current scene more active, conflict riddled, and tight. These are the experiences that verify that I followed the right call this past week.

But...

And there's always a but, right?

I'm investing a good chunk of savings to head to Denver in September to attend my first (and probably last, considering the expense) ACFW conference, and I need that Genesis finalist ms to be complete with at least one round of revisions under it so that I can take full advantage of being a finalist, and pitch that baby in hopes of receiving some partial requests. But the revisions to this other novel are taking more time than I expected, though they really are helping, so I must keep going. So I'm reaching out and asking for prayer.

If you can squeeze another item into your prayer agenda, I'd really appreciate your prayers regarding my fitting all this in while maintaining a relationship with my family. God is huge, and I know if I listen to His guidance He'll show me the way to accomplish all this within two months. But I'm a little deaf at times, so I'd appreciate you asking Him to shout when He's talking to me.

I'm praying that we all have a productive and eventful week ahead! Blessings to you all!


Surrendering to Him,

Eileen

21 comments:

Jody Hedlund said...

Hi Eileen,
So, maybe you'll have two books ready to pitch at the conference? Wouldn't that be great? I'll be praying that God will give you the self-discipline to get the work done! And I know you can do it!

Jessica Nelson said...

I'll send up some prayers for you. :-) This is pretty awesome!

MeganRebekah said...

I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers. And I'm sure you'll find a way to make it work!

Terri Tiffany said...

I had forgotten you were a finalist!! WOW! I think you need to get that one done and ready so you can pitch it and they love it and then you get the CALL!! Let me know if I can help in any way:)

Georgiana Daniels said...

Asking Him to shout--that's a new one, LOL! Love it. Yes, praying for you, my friend :)

Katie Ganshert said...

I will for sure be praying, Eileen. That's what having a community of Christian writers is for! :) You can do it, girl! I know you can. :)

Cindy R. Wilson said...

I will definitely pray for you. That you'll get a lot done and not grow tired while trying to accomplish it all. Also, that you'll be available to God when he wants to talk to you and help guide you to where he wants you. It will all work out and you'll be prepared exactly how you're meant to be :)

Stephanie Faris said...

You're in my prayers but it sounds like you are on the right track.

Wendy Paine Miller said...

I just love how you began this post! I do love when my insides flutter w/ ideas.
~ Wendy

Jennifer Shirk said...

What a teaser of an opening! LOL!

Of course, I'll pray for you!

Sherrinda Ketchersid said...

I'll definitely be praying! I'm with Jody on this one. Maybe you are supposed to have 2 books in hand at conference!!! :)

Steena Holmes said...

Eileen, you can do this! I'll be praying!

Erica Vetsch said...

I've had something similar happen recently, the decision to rework some older things to pitch at the conference.

Perhaps you can do both? Work on the Genesis entry for a set time each day, then work on the older piece as a reward?

Jeanette Levellie said...

I will pray for you, Eileen.
Wisdom, guidance, and for the sun to stand still a few days!
Love, Jen
Audience of ONE

Susan R. Mills said...

I'll definitely be praying for you. By the way, don't ever tease us like that again! :)

Keli Gwyn said...

My prayer for you is that your writing time is incredibly productive, you continue to feel that delightful flutter as you revise, that you have time for your family and that amazing things happen for you at the conference.

Jill Kemerer said...

You're on the prayer list, Eileen! congrats on working so hard for your dreams. Don't worry, it's all going to work out just right!

Tana said...

Eileen, I am honored to pray for you! I can't wait to hear of all your good fortune esp. with the conference in Sept. Exciting times!

Diane said...

I pray God's best and wisdom for you! I hope the conference goes great.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

I'll be praying for you. :)

Blessings,
Susan

Debra E. Marvin said...

Eileen, I hope you feel some peace flowing down with all these prayers!

May the Lord give you direction, inspiration and determination!!

I'm looking forward to ACFW. Will see you there and ask how it all went.

Enjoy your time away
Debra